So another few days have passed. I've been busy!
Some more observations: Kyrgyz men squat. When waiting for a bus or just resting, they squat on the sidewalk. Shawn Savage had pictures of men in Georgia doing the same thing, so I wonder if it's a former Soviet thing. I'll have to start waiting for the bus/mashrutka that way.
I've been out a few more times with the other teachers and students here learning Russian, and it's so much fun with them. We went to a Kyrgyz restaurant right across the street from our school and we had shaslyk, which is basically like a long giant shish kebab with fatty mutton. It was juicy and goood. I also had my first entire glass of beer! It was Russian beer and not too bad... at the next place we went I had Kyrgyz beer, which wasn't nearly as good... probably because it has live yeast which apparently isn't how beer usually is.
A few of us have decided to probably go to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan for Xmas and New Years. We'll have to start looking into visa stuff and planning a more specific itinerary. Saturday we're going hiking, and next Wednesday there's a school excursion to a tower nearby.
I start Russian lessons tomorrow! It will be one-on-one, so hopefully I'll get a lot out of it. I signed up for 4 hours a week, so hopefully I'll have some survival phrases in just a few days. I also have another observation.
I just got back from a Turkish restaurant where I had AWESOME Iskender kebab, almost as good at Jalopeno in Tampere. Tonight after I observe Talking Club we're going to an expat place for burritos. I've been eating out a lot, but I justify it by saying I have to try local stuff! Plus I think my stove is broken.
I walked downtown yesteday to find the post office, so I got to see the more touristy things. The White House, Ala-Too square, the changing of the guards, and a bunch of statues... I'll post pictures on facebook in the next few days.
I'm trying to learn as much British English as possible, because there are 5 people here from England. It's great because basically everyday there's an argument between the Americans and the Brits about pronunciation or word choice. I love linguistics :)
Even though today is actually a "weekend" (no classes taught), there is Talking Club to observe. Poka! (Goodbye in Russian)
1 comment:
Men squat like that everywhere. I've seen it in Iraq, Thailand, etc. - maybe it's an Asia thing. I don't know. I hear it's comfortable.
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